Automation 2026

The US’ largest trade show was held June 22-25 at the McCormick center in Chicago. I didn’t attend last year’s in Detroit, but since I was working in Rockford the previous week, I decided to attend.

The show is huge! It covers both sides of the 3rd floor and over 50,000 people registered.

There are lots of robots, integrators and component vendors, but since I don’t work much with making stuff anymore, I wasn’t really in the market for anything. A few things that caught my attention: the Raspberry Pi and CODESYS booths, and Weintek, where my friend Nikki Gonzales works. Jimmy DiTraglia also had an exhibit there, as did Vlad Romanov, both in the pictures at the top.

For me the main reason for attending was the networking and meeting up with people I don’t get to see often. Jake Hall and Chris Leucke put on an awesome Blues Brothers themed event called Extra Innings at mHub, a makerspace/business incubator close to downtown, lots of familiar faces there also.

I’m really glad I was able to attend, but without having work nearby I’m not sure I would have gone. Next year’s is in Las Vegas, I don’t imagine I will be there. But this one was fun for sure!